Originally published October 27, 2026. All schedules, observations and counts refer to the original report date.
Early voting runs 25% ahead of 2022 • Commissioners Court meets • Vance rally Thursday • Regional sports, schools, agriculture and community news.
Today’s top 10
11,392 early votes so far • County court meets at 9 a.m. • Vance rally doors open at 10 a.m. Thursday • Godley junior wins regional cross country • Animal Control donations • Carnival event proposal • Cowgirl museum expansion • AgTexas scholarships • John Kuhn returns • Texas pumpkin yields affected by drought.
Hood County early voting runs 25% ahead of 2022
Hood County voters cast 11,392 early votes through October 25, according to TexPolls, which compiles daily reports from the Texas Secretary of State.
That is 21.0% of registered voters. In-person voting is up 25% from the corresponding early voting day in the 2022 midterm, when the count was 9,133.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday, October 30, in the Annex 1 meeting room at 1410 W. Pearl St. On Election Day, November 3, Hood County voters may use any county polling place.
Hood commissioners court weighs sheriff vehicle purchase
Hood County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Central Jury Room of the Ralph H. Walton Jr. Justice Center, 1200 W. Pearl St. in Granbury, according to its posted agenda.
Commissioners will consider seven Sheriff’s Office vehicles from Sewell Fleet Management for up to $817,004.85. Jail access control for 21 doors, up to $88,000, is also on the agenda.
Other items include the first year of a three-year storage network lease, up to $280,000, and discussion of Flock surveillance systems. The meeting may be watched at https://hoodcounty.texas.gov/StreamCourt.
Vice President Vance to headline Weatherford rally Thursday
Vice President J.D. Vance will headline a Texas GOP midterm election rally Thursday, October 29, the Texas Republican Party announced.
Doors open at 10 a.m. at JRJ Construction, 1140 Ric Williamson Memorial Highway. The program begins at 12:15 p.m.; Vance is expected to speak at 1:50 p.m.
Attendees must register online through the state party. Other speakers and full event details had not yet been announced.
Godley girls cross country returns to state
The Godley girls cross country team earned its third UIL state championships berth in four seasons, the Cleburne Times-Review reported.
The Ladycats finished third with 132 points at the Region II-4A Championships on October 26 at Rolling Hills Soccer Complex in Fort Worth, claiming one of four team qualifying berths.
A Godley junior won the individual regional championship, running the two-mile race in 11 minutes, 44.70 seconds after winning the District 12-4A title October 12.
Five donations for Hood County Animal Control
Hood County Commissioners Court is set to accept five Animal Control donations Tuesday, according to its agenda.
Local businesses and residents provided gifts ranging from $125 to $20,000. These are on the consent agenda, generally approved in a single vote.
Commissioners will also present a Veterans Day proclamation for November 11 honoring U.S. military service.
Mardi Gras-style Granbury Carnival considers courthouse lot
Hood County Commissioners Court will consider permission for Granbury Carnival to use the Historical Courthouse parking lot, according to the agenda.
Approval would permit the County Judge to sign a City of Granbury event application for the family-friendly Mardi Gras-inspired celebration.
Plans call for lot use from 12:01 a.m. Friday, February 5, through 8 p.m. Sunday, February 7.
National Cowgirl Museum opens $19 million expansion November 7
The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame in Fort Worth is scheduled to open a 16,000-square-foot expansion Saturday, November 7, the Weatherford Democrat reported.
The $19 million addition includes a new entrance facing the arena formerly known as Dickies Arena, event space for up to 250 people and a Cowgirl Carousel with 18 horses and a chariot.
New exhibits recognize the 38 women who founded the Girls Rodeo Association in 1948 and display Miranda Lambert’s Velvet Rodeo wardrobe. A ribbon cutting is set for Wednesday, November 4, at 10 a.m.
AgTexas $1,000 FFA and 4-H scholarships close Friday
AgTexas Farm Credit Services is accepting applications for its $1,000 scholarships through 5 p.m. Friday, October 30, the Weatherford Democrat reported.
Its AgYouth of the Month Program has provided more than $280,000 for students in 43 counties. Applications are at https://agtexas.com.
The Burleson branch also donated $2,000 to Weatherford High School FFA to help 13 students travel to the National FFA Agriscience Fair.
John Kuhn returns to Mineral Wells ISD
Former Mineral Wells ISD superintendent John Kuhn is returning to the district to support four areas of student and teacher advancement, the Weatherford Democrat reported.
Kuhn led the district for eight years before taking a similar job at Abilene ISD in June 2024. He said a heart attack during the summer prompted his return.
His responsibilities include Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and advising curriculum for emergent bilingual students. “I love this community and the kids we serve here,” Kuhn said.
Drought cuts Texas pumpkin yields 30% to 40%
Extreme drought reduced pumpkin yields in the state’s main producing area by an estimated 30% to 40%, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent said, according to the Weatherford Democrat.
Mark Carroll, an AgriLife agent for 20 years, called 2026 the driest year he has seen in Floyd County, designated the Pumpkin Capital of Texas.
Growers planted 1,200 acres of pumpkins statewide, all irrigated. But Carroll said they started the season with little or no subsoil moisture.
The bottom line
Early voting runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday at Annex 1 in Granbury.
Hood County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday at 1200 W. Pearl St.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Six counties. One region. Plenty happening.
Hood County. Our Home. Our News.
